Because of his age, and his sometimes surprising defensive ability, the team that signs Sandoval will not have to plan on using him as a full-time DH at any point during his potential five-year contract. Sandoval is far from a gold glove third-baseman, but he is not terrible at the hot corner.

The Timmy-Cain-Panda-Posey-Bumgarner Giants may never win another championship, but keeping that nucleus together is smart economic thinking and good for the Giants. If the Giants resign Lincecum and Pence, they will be poised to be a strong contending team in 2014.